A 25% tariff on imported medicines would significantly increase the costs of medicines in the U.S. and create new access issues for patients – especially for poorly insured lower income families. In other words, should the Section 232 investigation wrongly conclude that the global supply chain poses a threat to patients’ access to medicines, the Administration’s response will create the very cost and access issues that concern them. Such actions simply make no sense.
Two months ago, the Commerce Department launched an investigation into whether pharmaceutical imports pose a threat to national security (i.e., a Section 232 investigation). Not only are the investigation’s accusations groundless, implementing the proposed remedy – more tariffs – will create the very problems that the investigation hopes to avoid.
Allegedly, pharmaceutical imports are disconcerting because they create vulnerabilities. Importing medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients supposedly gives adversaries the ability to disrupt our access to needed medications. This vulnerability exposes the U.S. to potential geopolitical blackmail and creates an unacceptable national security threat.
Even if this accusation had merit – it doesn’t – the proposed remedy still makes no sense.
Nothing contained in this blog is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Pacific Research Institute or as an attempt to thwart or aid the passage of any legislation.
Potential Tariffs Will Harm Patients In The Name Of Protecting Them
Sally C. Pipes
A 25% tariff on imported medicines would significantly increase the costs of medicines in the U.S. and create new access issues for patients – especially for poorly insured lower income families. In other words, should the Section 232 investigation wrongly conclude that the global supply chain poses a threat to patients’ access to medicines, the Administration’s response will create the very cost and access issues that concern them. Such actions simply make no sense.
Two months ago, the Commerce Department launched an investigation into whether pharmaceutical imports pose a threat to national security (i.e., a Section 232 investigation). Not only are the investigation’s accusations groundless, implementing the proposed remedy – more tariffs – will create the very problems that the investigation hopes to avoid.
Allegedly, pharmaceutical imports are disconcerting because they create vulnerabilities. Importing medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients supposedly gives adversaries the ability to disrupt our access to needed medications. This vulnerability exposes the U.S. to potential geopolitical blackmail and creates an unacceptable national security threat.
Even if this accusation had merit – it doesn’t – the proposed remedy still makes no sense.
Read the Forbes op-ed.
Nothing contained in this blog is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Pacific Research Institute or as an attempt to thwart or aid the passage of any legislation.